Alligator - Sock Puppet

Materials:

   Old sock (gray, green, or brown)
   2 large white pompoms, 2 small black pompoms
   Large handful of fiberfill stuffing
   Rubber band
   Craft glue

Directions:

   Make a ball with the stuffing and insert it in the heel of the sock. This will be the head of the alligator. Put your hand in the sock and extend your fingers from your thumb. Wrap the rubber band around the joint between the thumb and fingers to create a mouth. Glue the black pompoms in the center of the white pompoms to make eyes. Glue these to either side of the head as shown.

Click picture for larger image

   Open the alligator's mouth and have him pretend to say the chant below. Children repeat each line:

     Alligator. (Children repeat.)
     Alligator. (Repeat.)
     Alligator. (Repeat.)
     Can be your friend, can be your friend, can be your friend, too. (Repeat.)
     The alligator is my friend. (Repeat.)
     And he can be your friend, too. (Repeat.)
     If only you could understand. (Repeat.)
     Don't wear him as your shoe. (Repeat.)
     Alligator. (Repeat.)
     Alligator. (Repeat.)
     Alligator. (Repeat.)
     Can be your friend, can be your friend, can be your friend, too. (Repeat.)

   Use the alligator puppet to focus children's attention with this rhyme:

    A hungry old alligator's sneaking up on you.
    And he's going to take a bite if you don't know what to do.
    So open up your ears, and do what I say.
    Are you ready? Get set! Let's play!

Hint! This same puppet can be a snake, dinosaur, or other imaginative character.